Seattle to host NHL All-Star Game and draft within first seven seasons

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has announced that Seattle will be awarded the All-Star Game within its first seven seasons in the league, as well as either an entry or expansion draft.

Seattle will join the NHL in October 2021 after recently being awarded an expansion place.

“We’ve promised an All-Star Game to Seattle within seven years of playing,’’ Bettman said during a visit to the city. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to wait seven years.

“We’ve got to look at scheduling — both ours and in terms of the city’s availability to host all of our guests in our hotels and everything. But we’re going to be bringing big events here. This is where we want to be.’’

Bettman added: “We’re looking at when it would be appropriate to bring the draft here. Obviously, we need to have an expansion draft, so we’re looking at the possibility.’’

The NHL Seattle group has also asked the league to stage an outdoor game but Bettman warned the rainy weather could be an issue.

North American ice hockey league the NHL has announced that the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs will contest the first outdoor game to be held at a US service academy, while the Tampa Bay Lightning have been awarded hosting rights to the 2018 All-Star Game.